By Pamela Fisher
A new fitness studio has come to Argyle. Heidii Donahue, certified Zumba instructor, opened Studio 101 on Main Street in October.
Donahue previously taught classes at the Argyle American Legion before opening her own studio. She has also served as the office manager for Queensbury’s Garden Time Center for nearly 20 years.
Donahue has been taking Zumba classes for four years under the instruction of Tobey Gifford at the Lemon Tree Yoga Studio in Glens Falls. Since 2001, the Latin dance-inspired Zumba program has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most successful fitness programs and offers workouts for individuals of all shapes, sizes and ages.
“Tobey is the reason that I had the desire to bring this fun and addicting fitness program to my hometown of Argyle,” said Donahue, who still faithfully attends Gifford’s classes every week.
At Studio 101, Donahue is currently building her student base.
“Most of my students are local residents and I am proud to say that I have one student who is a cancer survivor, was diabetic and overweight, and to this day, she has lost 30 pounds and it has totally changed her way of life,” Donahue said.
She noted this student was not comfortable working out in a busy gym or even trying an aerobics program, but she came to Donahue’s class 15 months ago and has been with the program ever since.
“This makes it all worth it,” Donahue said, “Changing how people think and react to a fitness program that they love is very fulfilling.”
Donahue is also certified to teach ZumbaTomic, a Zumba fitness program for children ages 4-12.
“Being a 50-year-old mother of a 10-year-old has definitely given me the incentive to stay fit,” Donahue said. “To be able to keep up with my daughter means everything to me. Now I am dancing, jumping and playing games with her and 10 others in my class.”
Studio 101’s sessions began Jan. 9 and runs for five weeks. Classes offered include Zumba, ZumbaTomic for children ages 7-12, and ZumbaTomic Little Star for children ages 4-6.
For more information, contact Donahue at 744-2966, on the web at heidii4.zumba.com or by e-mail at Zumba12809@yahoo.com.